Overview
In this module, you’ll learn how to interpret negative feedback accurately. By separating fact from assumptions, seeking clarification to avoid misunderstandings, and assessing feedback objectively. You’ll be better equipped to respond with clarity, confidence, and a growth mindset.
To access the non-conforming version of this module, see What drives behaviour learning module.
Below is the transcript for the What drives behaviour YouTube video.
Transcript
[Background music plays for the duration of the video.]
[Visual description: Workplace Strategies for Mental Health, compliments of Canada Life logo fades in and then out.]
[Visual description: Video of a woman is working on her laptop while her co-workers are working at a table behind her, talking and laughing about her. She looks upset.]
What drives our behaviour? Often, it's our unmet needs. Some of our basic human needs are common to everyone. Let's explore a few.
[Visual Description: Two men are working together looking at a tablet that one of them is holding. A purple background panel appears on the right with the text: "Acknowledgement: The need to feel valued, seen and heard.”]
First, we need acknowledgement. This is the need to feel valued, seen, and heard.
[Visual Description: The previous text dissolves and is replaced by: "Autonomy: The need for control and choice in our lives".]
We also need autonomy, which is the need for control and choice in our lives.
[Visual Description: The previous text dissolves and is replaced by: "Integrity: The need to live and work by our own moral principles.”]
Another key need is integrity, which means living and working by our own moral principles.
[Visual Description: The previous text dissolves and is replaced by: "Interdependence: The need for the support we give and receive from others.”]
We also have a need for interdependence, or the support we give and receive from others.
[Visual Description: The video changes to a man in his backyard with many trees, he is drinking a coffee and taking large soothing breaths. The previous text dissolves and is replaced by: "Physical: The basic needs for air, water, food, shelter and safety.”]
Our physical needs include basic things like air, water, food, shelter, and safety.
[Visual Description: The video changes to a woman hiking in the woods with her child on her shoulders. The previous text dissolves and is replaced by: "Play: The need for doing activities that bring us joy and reduce stress.”]
And don't forget our need for play — doing activities that bring us joy and reduce stress.
[Visual Description: The previous text dissolves and is replaced by: "Spiritual: The need for meaning and purpose.” The purple panel and text disappear.]
Finally, we all need meaning and purpose, which is often called a spiritual need.
[Visual description: Video of a team of 5 working together at a desk, smiling and laughing.]
When needs are adequately met, it’s more likely that we’ll behave and react in whatever way is normal for us. When our needs are not adequately met, we’re more likely to exhibit stress or frustration.
[Visual description: On a white background, teal text appears: “When faced with someone else’s behaviour that’s confusing or frustrating…”, it is replaced with the text: “…it can be helpful to pause, reflect, and ask yourself…”, which is replaced with the text: “What might be driving this behaviour? Could it be an unmet need?”]
When faced with someone else’s behaviour that’s confusing or frustrating, it can be helpful to pause, reflect, and ask yourself — what might be driving this behaviour? Could it be an unmet need?
[Visual: The Workplace Strategies for Mental Health, Compliments of Canada Life logo animates in and out.]
[The music fades out.]
[Visual: In white writing on a teal background, the following message appears: “Search for other useful tips on the Workplace Strategies website. clwsmh.com/elearning.”]
What drives behaviour?
See the need, not just the behaviour.
Our needs shape how we act, think, and respond to others.
When our needs are met, we often feel confident and engaged. When they’re not, we may show stress or frustration, or we might pull away.
Concepts to understand what drives behaviour
In this module, you'll explore 7 basic human needs through examples and short activities - and discover how to recognize them in everyday situation.
- Consider unmet needs
- Unmet needs often drive behaviour
- Acknowledgement
- The need to be valued, seen and heard
- Autonomy
- The need for some control and choice
- Integrity
- The need to live within your own moral principles
- Interdependence
- The need to give and receive support
- Physical
- The basic need for air, water, food, shelter and safety
- Play
- The need for activities that bring joy and reduce stress
- Spiritual
- The need for meaning and purpose
Acknowledgment and recognition
Acknowledgment and recognition
People want to know their experiences matter. Sometimes that means noticing when they’ve gone through a challenge; other times it’s recognizing their effort or success. When this need isn’t met, someone might feel overlooked or unimportant.
Place each scenario under “Acknowledgement” or “Recognition.”
- Acknowledgement
- A co-worker says, "I see the effort you've put into this difficult task."
- A friend says, "I'm sorry for what you've been going through."
- Recognition
- You receive a thank-you card from your team for leading a project
- Your name is in the company newsletter for completing a certification
Autonomy
Autonomy means having control over your own choices.
Autonomy is the ability to make your own choices and have a say in what affects you. When it’s supported, people often feel motivated and trusted. When it’s limited, they may feel frustrated or disengaged.
Place each example under “Supports Autonomy” or “Limits Autonomy.”
- Supports Autonomy
- Having a say in how to complete a project
- Selecting your own training courses for professional growth
- Limits Autonomy
- Having a decision reversed without your involvement
- Being told which lunchbreaks you can take without being asked for input
Integrity
Living your values builds resilience.
Integrity means living according to your personal values and principles, even when it’s difficult. If you can’t be yourself or if you feel pressured to compromise your beliefs — stress and dissatisfaction often follow.
Pick the action that best reflects integrity.
Scenario: A teammate asks you to take credit for work you didn’t do.
- a. Politely refuse and explain your concerns.
- b. Agree, but make sure others know it wasn’t your idea.
- c. Avoid answering and hope it doesn’t come up again.
Response: a. By politely refusing and explaining your concerns, you're showing integrity and helping build a culture of honesty and trust.
Interdependence
Mutual respect powers collaboration.
Interdependence is about healthy balance in relationships — knowing when to offer help and when to accept it. It includes mutual trust, respect, and emotional safety. Without it, people might become isolated or overly dependent.
Click each image to see examples.
- Appreciation and love
- Giving and receiving support
- Trust and emotional safety
Physical
Rest, food, and safety fuel performance.
Our physical needs include essentials like food, rest, and shelter — plus specific health or safety requirements. When unmet, these needs can cause distraction, anxiety, or illness.
Click each image to uncover examples of physical needs.
- Hydration
- Rest and recovery
- Physical comfort and injury prevention
Play
Play fosters creativity, connection, and well-being.
Play brings joy, creativity, and lightness into life. It can be social, competitive, or just for relaxation. Without it, life can feel heavy and monotonous.
Select the 2 activities that best reflect play.
- Completing work tasks.
- Laughing with friends.
- Doing household chores.
- Playing your favourite game with family.
Response: Laughing with friends and playing games with family are great examples of play—they can bring joy, connection, and fun.
For some people, work tasks and household chores bring them a lot of joy. For others, being with family or friends may sometimes be stressful. What constitutes play for anyone, can change over time based on many other factors. The important point is that everyone needs to engage in activities that bring them joy, creativity and lightness.
Spiritual
Spiritual well-being comes from purpose, mindfulness, and inner peace.
Spiritual needs are about finding meaning, purpose, and emotional balance. This might come from mindfulness, creative expression, nature, or reflection. When spiritual needs are unmet, someone may feel disconnected or hopeless.
How can we meet our spiritual needs in daily life? Flip these cards for some ideas.
- Finding purpose
- Engaging in volunteer work
- Appreciating beauty
- Watching a sunrise
- Mindfulness
- Practicing deep breathing during a stressful moment
Conclusion
Looking beyond behaviour helps us respond with empathy, not reactivity.
These are just a few common human needs, especially relevant at work. When needs go unmet, people may react in ways that seem confusing. Pausing to ask, “Could an unmet need be behind this?” can help prevent misunderstandings—even if we never know for sure.
By looking beyond the behaviour, and wondering what is happening for the other person, we’re less likely to assume that their behaviour is about disrespecting or challenging us. We can then avoid reacting in ways that might make the situation worse.
It's also a powerful way to manage your own well-being by checking in with yourself to see if your own needs are being met, you can better understand your emotions and take action to improve your mood and overall health.
Knowledge check
See Responses below to see the answers to the following 3 questions.
-
People’s needs for acknowledgement are always the same.
- a. True
- b. False
- Which need is most connected to having control over your own choices?
-
- a. Autonomy
- b. Play
- c .Integrity
- d. Physical
- Responses
3. Which of these is most connected to spiritual needs?
-
- a. Receiving appreciation from others
- b. Finding purpose and inspiration
- c. Choosing your own project goals
- d. Getting adequate rest
Responses
- b. Some people require immediate and consistent acknowledgment of their efforts, while others are embarrassed or overwhelmed by too much attention. The types of acknowledgment can also differ: where some prefer a private conversation, others appreciate public acknowledgment.
- a. While there may be some level of control in all of these needs, autonomy is focused specifically on the need for control and choice.
- b. Spiritual needs are not necessarily connected to organized religions. It’s about having meaning in your life, which can come from a connection with nature, being of service, or having a sense of peace.
Tip sheet and resources
- What drives behaviour? webpage
- What drives behaviour? microlearning module
- What drives behaviour? infographic | PDF
- What drives behaviour? microlearning module accessible version
- Link emotions, thoughts and behaviours webpage
- For more Microlearning modules like this one
We welcome your feedback on this module or any of our resources. Please contact us with your suggestions.